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Title IX

Sex Discrimination in Educational Institutions

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was the first comprehensive federal law to prohibit sex discrimination against students and employees of educational institutions. It is one of several federal and state anti-discrimination laws that define and ensure equality in education. The regulations implementing Title IX prohibit discrimination, exclusion, denial, limitation, or separation based on gender. Title IX states:

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. 20 U.S.C. § 1681.

Many people commonly associate this law with athletics programs, but in actuality, Title IX encompasses many programs at Tennessee State University. Title IX applies to every aspect of education including but not limited to, admissions and recruitment, comparable facilities for males and females, access to course offerings, financial assistance, marital and parental status of students, physical education and athletics, education programs and activities, and employment. You should also be aware that under Title IX, sex discrimination includes both sexual harassment and sexual assault.

It is everyone’s responsibility at TSU to comply with Title IX, but if you feel that your rights have been violated under this law you should contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator for assistance. 

Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)

Sexual violence has far-reaching effects on a victim's life—from safety and health to family, school, and work situations. It is TSU's policy to provide for the safety and security of all members of its campus community. TSU's Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) supports students affected by sexual violence (defined as any act of sexual contact without consent or without legal consent) by assessing and addressing their needs. 

The SART's first priority is to ensure that survivors of sexual assault are safe and provide support services, including access to medical aid, connecting victims with a campus advocate, and supplying alternative housing options and academic assistance. We also educate and provide resources to any student involved in an allegation of sexual violence, whether they are the survivor or the accused student.

Survivors of sexual assault have the option of maintaining confidentiality or participating in the University's administrative investigation process or the criminal process through TSUPD. 

What To Do

Students
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted you are encouraged to either call TSUPD at 615-963-5171 or the Office of Equity & Inclusion at 615-963-7435. Our SART team can help a survivor only if a member of the team is notified.  Contacting the TSU SART does not mean  someone has to be charged with a crime.  It  does mean that a survivor will be offered appropriate care.  Anyone can notify TSU SART by contacting University Police or the Office of Equity and Inclusion. Other choices are listed below. The most important action is to help survivors get assistance.

Employees
TSU employees have certain responsibilities when they receive student reports of sexual violence. Due to the profound impact that sexual violence has on the students involved and the TSU campus community, faculty and other University staff must immediately report all incidents of sexual violence to the Office of Equity and Inclusion. For employees that receive reports of sexual violence, please review the Sexual Assault Reporting Protocol and Guidelines for Reporting Sexual Violence to determine how to appropriately respond. 

The SART has also developed a Sexual Assault Incident Report Form to help guide employees on gathering the basic information that should be report to the Office of Equity and Inclusion. 

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
TSU Sexual Harassment/Violence Protocol for Faculty and Staff

Who to Contact